Getting a loud noise when driving over 50mph from the front left wheel, pretty certain the wheel bearing has gone and I need to replace the wheel bearing hub. The car is an 05 reg, and has done over 240,000 miles, and none of the wheel bearings have been replaced in this time.

 

I jacked the car up this morning to have a look, the wheel doesn't appear to have any play when rocking it, but I'm sure the wheel bearing needs replacing. I'm using good quality tyres, Michellin Cross Climate, and there is no uneven wear on the tyre which would suggest a different problem.

 

The hub is held on with 4 bolts with a 12 point star head (spline?), this is what the bolts are supposed to look like.

 

 

Unfortunately, this is what my bolts look like. They all look in bad shape, and the bottom right one looks like it is going to be impossible to get out as there is no recognisable star on the head.

 

 

 

The part is roughly ~£100, and have been quoted £250 to get it replaced by a garage (parts and labour), so before I looked under the car I was considering doing it myself. I've done some research and found this video detailing the process for replacing the wheel bearing hub.

 

 

They have also written up a post with more photos and information. http://www.myturbodiesel.com/wiki/wheel-bearing-and-hub-replacement-vw-symptoms-and-noises/

 

Would I be insane to even consider doing this job? I think I'm going to pay the professionals to do it.

 

But just out of interest, how would you get these bolts out?

 

Thanks,

Luke

Leave it to the pros and let them worry about it.